AIPC - the International Association of Convention Centres - is the industry association for professional convention and exhibition centre managers world wide. AIPC is committed to encouraging and recognizing excellence in convention centre management, while at the same time providing the tools to achieve such high standards through its research, educational and networking programs.
AIPC occupies a unique position amongst the various organizations that represent the meetings industry. It is a true international organization, with representation from over 55 countries around the world. It focuses specifically on the issues, opportunities and challenges facing convention and exhibition centres. It celebrates and promotes the multicultural dimension of the international meetings industry and the role facilities play in enhancing this. And it maintains close working relations with related industry organizations to ensure members are well connected to overall industry issues.
Board of Directors
Julianne Jammers
julianne.jammers@epfl.ch
Taubie Motlhabane
taubiem@cticc.co.za
Ross Steele
rsteele@tepae.co.nz
Board members
Gábor Ganczer
ganczer.gabor@hungexpo.hu
Greg Newton
gnewton@calgarystampede.com
Maurits van der Sluis
m.vd.sluis@rai.nl
John Burke
john@klccconventioncentre.com
CEO
Sven Bossu
industry Partnerships
The purpose of the Industry Partnerships is to ensure that the voice of AIPC is heard at all levels required to support and defend the interests of the AIPC Members. Two key examples are AIPC’s participation in the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) and the Policy Forum.
JMIC
The Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) is an organization that represents the combined interests of 15 international Meetings Industry associations. It has provided a forum for information exchange amongst industry groups for over 50 years and has recently become more engaged in the process of articulating and delivering industry messages to wider community and governmental audiences as well as developing better mechanisms for documenting the value of the industry.
Specifically, JMIC's objectives are:
- To maintain a forum for the exchange of information and expertise amongst organizations that represent the various sectors of the Meetings Industry;
- To support and carry out activities that promote the profile of the Meetings Industry as a distinct and important part of the global economy;
- To provide a collective voice for the industry in areas of overall industry interface, and
- To formally recognize the achievements of individuals who have successfully advanced the positioning and professionalism of the industry on an international basis.
The active member associations who comprise JMIC today can be found here.
JMIC organizational details, awards programs, advocacy guidebook and "tools" are available (some in multiple languages) on the JMIC web site.
Policy Forum
The Forum launched in 2003 and has established itself as a crucial connection point for the meetings world and public policymakers. Over the years it has proved to be a major catalyst in advancing the understanding of the critical role that the meetings industry plays in many aspects of national and regional development. The subtle change in name better reflects the event as it is today, bringing together the meetings world and public policymakers with the aim to influence policy, rather than just politicians.
Each year, the Policy Forum brings together some 40 policymakers with around 80 industry leaders, and address five core elements: Strategy, Advocacy, Development, Engagement and Enlightenment in consideration of how to make the most of the wide-ranging benefits that investment in conferences and meetings can bring, from income and employment to inward investment, education, scientific and cultural advancement.
The IMEX Policy Forum is organised under the auspices of the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC).
2025 Policy Forum Highlights
2024 Policy Forum Highlights
2024 Policy Forum Insights
2024 Policy Forum: Overcoming the Pitfalls of Democracy
The 2023 Policy Forum Report
The 2022 Policy Forum Report
The 2019 Policy Forum Report
